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Talking Heads — Born Under Punches
Album: Remain in Light
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 766









Released: 1980
Length: 5:38
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Ahh!

Take a look at these hands.
Take a look at these hands.
The hand speaks. The hand of a government man.
Well I'm a tumbler. Born under punches.
I'm so thin.

All I want is to breathe (I'm too thin)
Won't you breathe with me?
Find a little space, so we move in-between (In-Between it)
And keep one step ahead, of yourself.

Don't you miss it, don't you miss it.
Some 'a you people just about missed it!
Last time to make plans!
And I'm a tumbler... I'm a Government Man.

Never seen anything like that before
Falling bodies tumble 'cross the floor (Well I'm a tumbler!)
When you get to where you wanna be (Thank you! Thank you!)
When you get to where you wanna be (Well, don't even mention it!)

Oh, take a look at these hands. They're passing in-between us.
Take a look at these hands!
Take a look at these hands. You don't have to mention it.
No thanks. I'm a Government Man.

And the heat goes on...And the (Wheeeep!) heat goes on
And the heat goes on (heeh heeh)...And the heat goes on
And the heat goes on (brbbrbbrb)...Where the hand has been (chtktktktk)
And the heat goes on...And the heat goes on (aaaaaiiiigh!)

And the heat goes on... (I got time!) And the heat goes on
And the heat goes on...And the heat goes on
And the heat goes on...Where the hand (Oooip!) has been
And the heat goes on...And the heat (hehuh hehuh hehuh hehuh) goes on...

I'm not a drowning man!
And I'm not a burning building! I'm a tumbler!
Drowning cannot hurt a man!
Fire cannot hurt a man. Not the Government Man.

All I want is to breathe (Thank you. Thank you.)
Won't you breathe with me?
Find a little space...So we move in-between (I'm so thin)
And keep one step ahead of yourself. (I'm catching up with myself)

All I want is to breathe (brehuh ehuh)
Won't you breathe with me (Hands of a Government Man)
Find a little space so we move in-between
And keep one step ahead of yourself. (Don't you miss it! Don't you miss it!)

And the heat goes on...And the heat goes on...
And the heat goes on...And the heat goes on...
And the heat goes on...And the heat goes on...
And the heat goes on...And the heat goes on...
And the heat goes on...Where the hands has been...
And the heat goes on...And the heat goes on...
And the heat goes on...
Comments (93)add comment
tedious byrne
Posted 2 weeks ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:

The sound of genius (Byrne/Eno/Belew). Timeless, captivating, and thoroughly compelling IMHO. Their best album, among a few.




Dang that is quite a lineup. I had no idea that Eno and Belew were on this fantastic album. No wonder it is probably the best from TH.
Posted 2 weeks ago by bitbanger    [ Reply ]
 tragic_king wrote:


Please no! I need my daily TH fix.

Same here!  Thanx RP!  
Posted 1 month ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
Please ONE day without TH or DB...


Please no! I need my daily TH fix.
Posted 4 months ago by tragic_king    [ Reply ]
Please ONE day without TH or DB...
Posted 7 months ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
Please, one day without TH or DB!
Posted 7 months ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
Just about to head down to the Boulder Theater to catch Stop Making Sense; it was a floor-stomping, aisle-dancing jam party on Halloween, and this time should also be wild! And the beat goes on...don't even mention it...don't you miss it!
Posted 10 months ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
(Wheeeep!)
Posted 1 year ago by ebanzai    [ Reply ]
The sound of genius (Byrne/Eno/Belew). Timeless, captivating, and thoroughly compelling IMHO. Their best album, among a few.
Posted 1 year ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
i just watched a funkadelics-parliment video

aha!
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:

Don't you miss it, don't you miss it.Some of you people just about missed it.


Look at my hands, look at my hands
Push the skip button
Posted 1 year ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
tedious sound tedious voice .. . 
Posted 1 year ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
yeah. .... goes on.......
goes on
Byrne has the appeal of a jib head drum circle
(don't reply - just post your own comment)
Posted 2 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:

My college roommate played Psycho Killer about 7 times in a row and I threatened to kill him. 

...when he asked "quest que c'est?" assume you were about to give a demo?
This is possibly my favorite album they did

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
This song sounds like garbage on mediocre equipment, but it is transcendent in FLAC on good IEMs.
Posted 2 years ago by TonyApuzzo    [ Reply ]
 coy wrote:

never grows old




I Agree!  GREAT TUNE!!  Thankx RP!   
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
My college roommate played Psycho Killer about 7 times in a row and I threatened to kill him. 
 
So you're saying it nearly worked?
Posted 10 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Don't you miss it, don't you miss it.Some of you people just about missed it.
Posted 10 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]

Posted 12 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
My college roommate played Psycho Killer about 7 times in a row and I threatened to kill him. 
Posted 13 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
It's OK. But, say, 10 plays in a row and I'd be a candidate for hari kari seppuku leaping in front of a train a handful of 'Ludes. Anyone notice that Byrne's mug in the upper left looks like Silence of the Lambs Hannibal Lecter in his mask?
 
Posted 13 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
never grows old
Posted 13 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
TH = an almost automatic 1. And mute. Or shift over to KCRW. Have fun in my absence.
Posted 13 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
More punches is what this song deserves indeed, another glorious 1!
Posted 13 years ago by gigikent    [ Reply ]
Cool, weird stuff.  Yet funky!
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 MinMan wrote:
eno
  yes, but eno + byrne = genius squared.

Posted 13 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
 dmax wrote:
Imagine how old this song is (THIRTY YEARS), and therefore how groundbreaking.
 
And it still sounds new. When I first heard it, it sounded like aliens at a disco.
Posted 13 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
 dmax wrote:
Imagine how old this song is (THIRTY YEARS), and therefore how groundbreaking.

 
Not really, since they´re using those typical 8-bit Nintendo-like sounds... Exactly THAT is what makes it sound old...

Posted 13 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
 fingerpin wrote:
genius.
  eno
Posted 13 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
genius.
Posted 14 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
 tanyaahogan wrote:
I love the sucko-barfo rating
my first use of it!

 

Plenty of TH and DB songs on RB, enjoy!
Posted 14 years ago by yodasan_magoo    [ Reply ]
Actually all of the Dot Matrix bleeps are coming from Adrian Belew...and I heart Adrian Belew!
Posted 14 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
 Felix_The_Cat wrote:
hehe, don't want to be mean, this soounds like a dot matrix printer
 
Well, that's original criticism, even if I don't agree! :-)

Posted 14 years ago by Tjerome    [ Reply ]
Second best song on arguably their best album.  Such a great groove.

I don't get the T-Heads/David Byrne hate here.
Posted 14 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Unique and always enjoyable. MORE candy for the ears!
Posted 14 years ago by tprimeau    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:

Brilliant! There's no other band that makes songs like this.


 
Bump! {#Dance}
Posted 14 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
Cool Happy
Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 kestrel wrote:

{#Puke}

 
{#Puke}
.....................................OMG this music make me act so juvenile.

Posted 14 years ago by kestrel    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
My Gawd this sucks!


Mr Creosote says
 
{#Puke}

Posted 14 years ago by kestrel    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
Dear God — Tori Amos followed by the Talking Heads! I hope at least Bill's gotten it out of his system for the day.
Damn! I missed Tori Amos!
Keep up the good work Bill. 


Posted 14 years ago by Dillinquent    [ Reply ]
 derekd wrote:
I am always amazed to see how polarized the RP audience is on the Talking Heads. I think they're amazing. But I'm a musician. So perhaps I hear or appreciate different elements of the music than the average listener/.
 

Agreed, taking the time frame of the Talking Heads into consideration, their music broached territory that few were exploring. I still remember Time magazine naming David Bryne rock's 'Renaissance Man', his influence through music, spoken word and film gave many of us who appreciated this a great thrill. And yes, I can see RP and Mr. Bill gravitate towards the Heads and Byrne, it is what makes this station so endearing. And for those who just appreciate paint-by-numbers- pop, there is still the mute button for this duration of 5:49
Posted 15 years ago by UncleChig    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
Dear God — Tori Amos followed by the Talking Heads! I hope at least Bill's gotten it out of his system for the day.
 
RP does have a 'thing' for Talking Heads, but as the saying goes, even Homer nods. I just hit the mute as soon as Byrne's warbling hits my eardrums and give it a few minutes, then return to the normal excellent programming.

Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 Brooky wrote:


some people do get it and we are all better for it

Well said. 


Posted 15 years ago by rtb    [ Reply ]
My Gawd this sucks!




Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 jjbix wrote:
more crappy noise from the egomaniac with a shitty voice
 

some people do get it and we are all better for it
Posted 15 years ago by Brooky    [ Reply ]
I think someone should make a pinball machine that makes sounds like those on this song when the ball is banging around.  :)
Posted 15 years ago by PeteyGreens    [ Reply ]
I am always amazed to see how polarized the RP audience is on the Talking Heads. I think they're amazing. But I'm a musician. So perhaps I hear or appreciate different elements of the music than the average listener/.
Posted 15 years ago by derekd    [ Reply ]
 jjbix wrote:
more crappy noise from the egomaniac with a shitty voice
 

{#Lol}

.... but you love it, dontcha!? {#Wink}
Posted 15 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
 Felix_The_Cat wrote:
hehe, don't want to be mean, this soounds like a dot matrix printer
 
Maybe Hunter S. Thompson's dot matrix printer.   ; )

Posted 15 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]

Brilliant! There's no other band that makes songs like this.


Posted 15 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
hehe, don't want to be mean, this soounds like a dot matrix printer
Posted 15 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
Dear God — Tori Amos followed by the Talking Heads! I hope at least Bill's gotten it out of his system for the day.
Posted 15 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]

It's a bit strange to me to hear it here, because I have this one as a ringtone in my cell-phone.

I LOVE IT!


Posted 15 years ago by tomeck    [ Reply ]
 greyfin10 wrote:
Would I be way off base if I guessed this is a track with Adrian Belew on it?
 
 coolpeople_rule wrote:
Never heard this song before from Talking Heads...but at first listen I could have sworn this was King Crimson!
 

You people should start a clique or something.

Posted 15 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
San Diego, that's why I left you!
amazing stuff from those Talking that had something to say.
Now SF
Posted 15 years ago by alisavox    [ Reply ]
Would I be way off base if I guessed this is a track with Adrian Belew on it?
Posted 15 years ago by greyfin10    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Sunny}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Never heard this song before from Talking Heads...but at first listen I could have sworn this was King Crimson!
Posted 15 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
What a great song from one of the best records they produced! They were awesome live! {#Bounce}As to the negative comments towards the T Heads— like they say in this song -some just dont get "it" lol Enjoy!

Posted 15 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
more crappy noise from the egomaniac with a shitty voice
Posted 15 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
Got this album for $1.99 as an Amazon download. Excellent. I think this is my favorite song on the album now. Used to be Once in a Lifetime, which is excellent also. Very good album, why didn't I buy it when I was in high school?
Posted 15 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
A fantastic song from a fantastic CD.
Posted 15 years ago by Bridieboo    [ Reply ]
gotta turn up the bass....
throw on those headphones..
excellent.
Posted 15 years ago by arsenault    [ Reply ]
Well, if I have to hear a TH song, at least it's not one I've heard a million and a half times
Posted 15 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Endlessly boring. 
Posted 15 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit}
Posted 16 years ago by pierpod    [ Reply ]
ARGHHH 2 days without RP and what it;s playing when i can back? DB OF COURSE .... what a curse ...

OScar 
Posted 16 years ago by oscar_driver    [ Reply ]
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
my only upload that I give a 10.
Sweeet!!
"dont' you miss it! don't you miss it....some of you people just about missed it"

{#Eh}
Clap

Posted 16 years ago by katzendogs    [ Reply ]
Couldn't resist. Here are two more smokers from the Rome 1980 show!
I had to register to say thanks for the video links. I've been a TH fan for years and saw the SMS tour and was blown away. These video's move it to a whole other level. Belew is unbelievable. I know some will never be convinced of what a jolt these guys were at a time when the airwaves were filled with Journey and REO, but if you're on the fence at least give these videos a watch. Great stuff.
Posted 16 years ago by DrawNRock    [ Reply ]
Which song is more funky: "Born Under Punches" or "Houses In Motion" ? "Houses" gets my vote, though I love both.
Posted 16 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
The Talking Heads just weren't the same after Brian Eno stopped producing their albums. Compare "Remain in Light" with "Little Creatures" sometime...
Posted 16 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Couldn't resist. Here are two more smokers from the Rome 1980 show! Cities (home of Elvis and the ancient Greeks): (click here) Crosseyed and Painless (facts are useless in emergencies): (click here)
Posted 16 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
pope183 wrote:
live in Rome 1980 with Adrian Belew on you tube (click here)
This clip is truly outstanding. Monster funk bass solo! The other clips from the same show are also outstanding. I enjoyed the Stop Making Sense live concert movie, but the performances in the Rome 1980 show absolutely DESTROY anything and everything in the SMS movie, and most of Talking Heads' studio work as well. Hopefully there will be a DVD some day so I can see and hear this awesome show with proper sound and video ... and crank it up!
Posted 16 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
Houston, we have lift off!
Posted 16 years ago by bulent    [ Reply ]
I love this group,lets hear more please..........
Posted 16 years ago by westsound    [ Reply ]
TMTH. (Too much Talking Heads.)
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
the Heads have sooooo much great stuff, it's sad that you only hear it on RP. The rest of commercial radio just recycles the pablum.
Posted 16 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
Great to hear more from this album on RP, IMO Talking Heads' masterpiece. Thanks!
Posted 16 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
pope183 wrote:
live in Rome 1980 with Adrian Belew on you tube (click here)
- how to re-discover the heads - most excellent! I'd love to get a cd / dvd quality copy of that concert.
Posted 16 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
Uncle_Fenester wrote:
This album was mind-blowing when it came out. Like nothing that had come before. And it still sounds great today.
Brian Eno's influence on Talking Heads in the 1980s was similar to his influence on PG's Genesis with "The Lamb..." "King's lead hat" indeed!
Posted 16 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
Work it. Some of you people just about missed it.
Posted 16 years ago by dionysius    [ Reply ]
live in Rome 1980 with Adrian Belew on you tube (click here)
Posted 17 years ago by pope183    [ Reply ]
Dobber wrote:
Sweet!! Very funky. I also like Phish's cover of this song.
A bit much so for me, but still pretty cool.
Posted 17 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
The hands of a government man...
Posted 17 years ago by grusso    [ Reply ]
I always thought the talking heads was kind of the 80s psychedelic music.
Posted 17 years ago by Jack_Straw    [ Reply ]
Sweet!! Very funky. I also like Phish's cover of this song.
Posted 17 years ago by Dobber    [ Reply ]
This album was mind-blowing when it came out. Like nothing that had come before. And it still sounds great today.
Posted 17 years ago by Uncle_Fenester    [ Reply ]
now we just need "the Great Curve".
Posted 17 years ago by Stuart    [ Reply ]
Brilliant!
Posted 17 years ago by Doggie    [ Reply ]
This song is awesome. Never heard it... it's been a while for that.
Posted 17 years ago by radioparadisehead    [ Reply ]
my only upload that I give a 10. Sweeet!! "dont' you miss it! don't you miss it....some of you people just about missed it"
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]